Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-07-16
WILL NOT GO.

The President Declines the Invitation to Be
Present at the Festivities in st. Louis.
! 81. LOUIS July THE following letter
I to the mayor Of this city, who was chairman
Of the committee of representative citizens
of st. Louis, who verbally invited the pres
dent to visit this city during the holding Of
the encampment of the Grand Army Of the
| Republic next September, is printed in the
/ Republican this morning and explains itself
without further comment.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
July 4, 1887.
/ Hon. DGvid R. Francis, Mayor and Chairman
MY DEAR Smi-When I received the
| extremely cordial and gratifying IN
vitatiOn from the citizens of St. Louis, ten
d6red by a number OF her representative
men, TO visit that city during the national
encampment of the Grand Army Of the
Republic, l had been contemplating for
some time the acceptance Of an invitation
from that organization to the same effect,
and had considered the pleasure which it
would afford me if it should be possible TO
meet not only the members of the Grand
Army, but the people OF st. Louis and other
cities IN the west, which the occasion would
give me an opportunity to visit. The eL-
actions OF my public duties I felt to be 50
uncertain, however, that when first con-
frOnted by the delegation of which you
were the head, 1 expected to do no more at
that time than to promise, In consideration
OF the double invitation rendered me, and
the expression Of pleasure 1t would give me
to accept the same thereafter if possible, but
the cordially and sincerity Of your presen-
tatiOn, reinforced by the heartiness of the
people who surrounded you, so impressed
me that 1 could not resist the feeling which
prompted me TO assure you on the spot that
I would be with you and the Grand Army
OF the Republic at the time designated If
nothing happened IN the meantime to alb
5Olutely prevent my leaving Washington.
Hf
ment OF this conclusion, expressions emau-
atlng from certain important members Of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and in
creasing in volume and virulence, con-
strained me to review my acceptance Of
these invitations. The expressions referred
to go to the extent of declaring that I
would be an unWelcOm6 guest at the
time and place of the national encamp-
ment
This statement is based as we'll as I can
judge upon certain official acts of mine in
YOlYing important public interests done un-
der restraints and obligations Of my oath of
Office which do not appear to accord with
the wishes of some members Of the Grand
Army of the Republic. / refuse to believe
that this organization, founded upon patri-
otto ideas, composed very largely of men en-
titled to lasting honor and consideration,
and whose crOWn1ng glory should be that
they are American citizens, as well as Yeter-
an soldiers, deems 1t part Of its mission to
compass any object or purpose by attempt
]
those charged with making and executing
the laws, and yet expressions to which have
referred indicate such a prevalence of un-
friendly feeling and such a menace
to an occasion which should
be harmonious and peaceful and
cordial that they cannot be ignored. I
beg you to understand that am not con-
sclOus of any act of mine which should make
me fear to meet the Grand Army of the Re
public, or any other assembly of fellow citi-
Zens. An account Of my official steward
ship Is always ready for presentation to my
cOuntrymen.
should not be frank if failed to confess
while declaIming all resentment, that I have
been hurt by the unworthy and WantOn at
tacks upon me, growing out of this matter
ana the reckless manner IN winch my actions
and motives have been misTspresented both
publicly and privately, for which, however,
the Grand Army of the Republic as a body,
Is by no means responsible. Threats of per
sOnal violence and harm in case undertake
the trip IN question: which scores of mis-
guided, unbalanced men under the stimulus
of excited feeling have made, are not even
| considered.
Rather than abandon my visit to the west,
and d1sappOlnt your citizens, might, if
! alone were concerned, submit to the insult
to which 1t Is quite openly asserted 1 would
| be helplessly subjected, if present at the en-
! campment, but 1 should bear with me there
] the peoples highest Office, the dignity of
1 which must project, and believe that
| neither the Grand Army Of the Republic as
| jOrlty of It's members would ever encourage
| any scandalOus attack upon it. If, however,
/ among the membership of this body there
! are some, as certainly seems to be the case.
| determined to denOUnce me and my official
/ acts at the national encampment, 1 believe
/ they should be permitted to do so,
| unrestra1ned by my presence as the
| guest of their organization or as the guest
/ of the hOspitable city IN which their meeting
I Is to be held. A number of Grand Army
] posts have signified their intention, am in
| formed to remain away from the encamp-
ment in case 1 visit the city at that time.
/ Without considering the merit Of such an
| excuse, feel that / ought not to be the cause
| of such nOn-attendancs. The
/ time and place of the en-
| campment were fixed long before my in
/ v1tatiOns were received. Those desiring to
/ participate in its proceedings should be first
| regarded and nothing should be permitted
| TO interfere with their intentions. Another
| consideration of more importance than all
| others remains to be noticed; the fact WAS
/ referred to by you when you verbally pre-
| scented the invitation of citizens of st. Louis,
| that the coming sncampment of the Grand
| Army of the Republic would be the
I hrst held IN the southern states.
| I suppose this fact was mentioned
| as a pleasing indication of the fraternal
| feeling fast gaining ground throughout the
/ entire land, and hailed by every patriotic
] citizen as an earnest that the Union has
| really and IN fact been saved in sentiment
| and spirit, with all the benefits it vOuchsafes
l 20 a united people. i cannot nd myself OF
/ the belief that the least discOrd on this pro-
! pitiOus occasion might retard the progress
/ of the sentiment of common brotherhood
/ which the Grand Army of the Republic has
| so good an opportunity to increase and
[ foster. I certainly ought not 70 be the cause
/ of such discOrd IN any event or upon any
| preteLt.
1t seems to me that you and the citi-
/ Zens OF st. Louis are entitled to this IN
| reserved statement of conditions which
/ have constrained me to fOregO my con-
/ templated visit, and to withdraw from the
/ acceptance of your invitation. Ny presence
/ in your city at the time you have indicated
/ can be Of little moment compared with the
/ Importance OF the cordial and harmonious
! entertainment of your other guests. I as
| sure you that I abandon my plan without
| the least personal feeling except regret, con-
strained thereto by the sense Of duty, actu.
] ated by desire to save any embarrassment
! to the people OF st. Louis or their expected
/ guests, and with a heart full of grateful sD-
/ probation of the sincere and unaffected
! kindness Of yOuF citizens. Hoping the en-
| caHIpment may be the occasion Of much
! usefulness, and that its proceedings may IL
I lustrate the highest patriotism OF American
I citizenship, 1 am
Yours very sincerely,
/ GROVER CLEVELAND.